So you’ve come to Austin for #SXSW and you’re already falling in love with our city. What’s a lovelorn tourist to do? Come back, next month. You won’t regret a minute you spend at the Austin Food + Wine Festival. I suggest you go All In, the VIP experience that includes Chef Tim Love’s incredibly popular Hands On Grilling Demo, and evening events. If you’re being a bit more budget conscious, I can guarantee that you will eat and drink every penny’s worth of the Weekender tickets.
The #AFWFest showcases our excellent local talent, and brings in names every foodie knows, from Andrew Zimmern to Ming Tsai. The beverage industry is also very well represented. The annual Chef’s Showcase, in the Grand Tasting tent, features some of the best Austin and Central Texas chefs, all cooking up delectable bites for you to taste. One of the things I love is that when you walk up to the table, it’s almost always the chef handing you food. My inner fan girl geeks out over the likes of Chefs Sonya CotĂȘ and Ji Peng Chen casually placing a scrumptious offering in my hand.
There are over 40 cooking demos, beer, wine and cocktail tastings, and so very much to enjoy in the Grand Tasting tent. This year I’m looking forward to the Sunday Gospel Brunch with Robert Randolph + the Voices of Greater Calvary Gospel Choir. The Fire Pit always delivers up innovative and tasty dishes, too. Plus, Chef Jack Gilmore cooking from the top of his converted fire truck barbecue pit is a sight to behold.
So go ahead, book your next trip, buy your #AFWFest tickets, and come back to see us. We’ll welcome y’all back with a ‘col beer or glass of wine.